Can avast 7 be installed without being forced to get chrome browser. I've read where a number of users couldn't as opt out window disappears too fast.
In theory, you can update the program without installing Chrome.
First, in avast 6 -> troubleshooting -> check "do not use chrome as avast default browser".
Then, instead of using the built it program update, use the full setup.exe. When the check boxes for Chrome are shown (look carefully where they are, as they are relatively "hard" to find), uncheck ALL the related check boxes.
Note: unchecking only one, sets the other as greyish, yet still checked. You must uncheck first the other check box, and then the first one, so both check boxes are unchecked.
Then when installing, try the "custom" install and review the options offered. Uncheck anything you don't want. Once the installation finishes, reboot.
After the reboot, if avast offers you Chrome again (also in some not so easy-to-see check boxes), then again answer as before.
If all works fine, use the system, reboot again and test if the reboot works as expected (no repeated avast screens). After testing (including reboots, waiting and using the system for some time and so on), then go back and set troubleshooting -> uncheck again "do not use chrome as avast default browser" (this last step should NOT install Chrome anyway, but I'm leaving the setting as it was before the program update).
I may be sticking with ver 6 and not trying this update at all. Looks pretty buggy to me.
Avast 6 works fine. There is no rush. Use avast 6 for a couple of weeks (or more), or even wait for the next program update (skipping 7.0.1407.)